DESIRES OF A PERFECT LADY

Author: Victoria Alexander ISBN: 9780061449482 4/2010 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: 1885 Victorian

A secret list of the desires of Lady Olivia Rathbourne: 1) Disregard convention 2) Follow her heart 3) Bed the Earl ofWyldewood A decade ago, Olivia had expected to marry the Earl of Wyldewood, only to have happiness stolen from her before his ring could be placed upon her finger. Now he stands before her, as proud and arrogant and handsome as ever, vowing to rescue her. Well, he's got some nerve urning up after all these years. Where was he when she needed him? As for the earl, scandal has never touched him nor has impropriety ever besmirched his name. But his penchant for doing the expected does have his family calling him, well, dull. Isn't it time to flaunt society's conventions and do what he's always wanted? And first on his list: Olivia in his bed—with or without a wedding.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

DESIRES OF A PERFECT LADY is not perfect, but it is a unique and satisfying romance. I cannot say I have read anything like it, which is definitely hard to do being as I have read a million and one historical romances!

While I find much to recommend DESIRES OF A PERFECT LADY, I do have one stand out item that bothers me about it: the hero. I do not care for how quickly the hero dismisses the heroine before their paths cross again. He really should have tried harder, and most certainly at least read her letters; but their story, their adventure, and the heroine's determination make up for it. Well, almost, as the hero is not my favorite, but he will do.

Not perfect but perfectly enjoyable, DESIRES OF A PERFECT LADY is a solid romance read.

Shannon Johnson

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Olivia Rathbourne is a recent widow. She has loved Sterling, the Earl of Wyldewood, for many years, but fate, as well as a cruel husband, tore them apart. The husband’s death, as well as the stipulations of his will, brings Olivia back to the Earl for help in completing the tasks that will help her gain his monetary funds, thus giving her the freedom to be financially secure and never beholden to any man’s whims, ever again. Since she has never resolved her feelings for Sterling, problems arise with Olivia's new outlook on life. He also happens to be on a secret list of hers. Things get a bit complicated after this, especially since Sterling's desire for her is stronger than ever, and so is his own resolve to bed and maybe wed her, but not in that particular order, of course. Along the way, his mother, who has a subplot of her own, helps in the matchmaking scheme, all while not really lifting a finger.

As usual, Victoria’s novels are some of best I’ve ever read. She’s been a favorite author of mine since picking up my first book of hers in the library. She continues to weave simple but breathtaking plots that keep your fingers flying through her books at breakneck speed, eagerly devouring what will happen next and sighing in exuberance at the happily-ever-after at the end.

It is my pleasure to say that I would pick up this novel again and again and again, anytime I want a great way to pass the time, or even when I’m sad, bored, lazy; any emotion I’m feeling at the time because Victoria is a fantastic writer, and I will never grow tired of reading anything she puts out.

Angela Arno